The role of natural killer cells in sepsis

Laurent Chiche (1, 2) , Jean-Marie Forel (3, 4) , Guillemette Thomas (2, 4) , Catherine Farnarier (2) , Fréderic Vely (1) , Mathieu Bléry (5) , Laurent Papazian (6) , Eric Vivier (1, 2)

1 CIML - Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille - Luminy
2 Service de Chirurgie
3 URMITE - Unité de Recherche sur les Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes
4 Hôpital Nord [CHU - APHM]
5 Innate Pharma
6 Hôpitaux Sud - Hôpital Sainte-Marguerite [CHU - APHM]

Severe sepsis and septic shock are still deadly conditions urging to develop novel therapies. A better understanding of the complex modifications of the immune system of septic patients is needed for the development of innovative immunointerventions. Natural killer (NK) cells are characterized as CD3(-)NKp46(+)CD56(+) cells that can be cytotoxic and/or produce high amounts of cytokines such as IFN-γ. NK cells are also engaged in crosstalks with other immune cells, such as dendritic cells, macrophages, and neutrophils. During the early stage of septic shock, NK cells may play a key role in the promotion of the systemic inflammation, as suggested in mice models. Alternatively, at a later stage, NK cells-acquired dysfunction could favor nosocomial infections and mortality. Standardized biological tools defining patients' NK cell status during the different stages of sepsis are mandatory to guide potential immuno-interventions. Herein, we review the potential role of NK cells during severe sepsis and septic shock.

Domaines: Immunologie

Laurent Chiche, Jean-Marie Forel, Guillemette Thomas, Catherine Farnarier, Fréderic Vely, et al.. The role of natural killer cells in sepsis. Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, 2011, 2011, pp.986491. ⟨10.1155/2011/986491⟩. ⟨hal-00611407⟩